Flying-machine.



C. W. WALLER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1913.

1,083,714. Patented Jan.6,1914.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. h U I m A lmrlwm U. W. WALLEE.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1913.

1,983,714. Patented Jan.6,1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

G. W. WALLER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APILZB, 1913.

Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

6 SHEETS-8111515133.

Ill! l lMwwtoz imrlas Wilallar wi tmemo C2. CA

C. W. WALLER. FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1913.

Patented J an. 6, 191%.

6 SHEETSSHEET 0. w. WALLER.

v FLYING MACHINE...

APPLICATION FILED APILZS, 1913.

1 83,714. Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET B.

awe/M4101 Unirrnn ares PATENT orries.

CHARLES W. ALLER, OF GHIGAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO PETER A.

FRANZMANN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLYING-MACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1914..

Application filed April 23, 1913. Serial No. 763,090.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES lV. WALLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flying-li iachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flying machines of the aeroplane type, and particularly to flying machines havin plural carrying surfaces in the form of following planes.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character, possessing inherent longitudinal and lateral stability, and so constructed that it will act as a parachute in case of accident in the air, thereby avoiding the casualties attributable to the machine losing its balance, etc, and which, furthermore, will interpose sufficient air resistance to secure a rapid parachutic action and reduce the falhng speed whlle maintaining the machine upright, thereby insuring a safe.

and easy descent.

'A further object of invention is to provide a construction which the weight of the power plant, pilot, passengers, etc., will be so arranged relative to the carrying surface as to act as a gravity balancing means tending constantly to keep the machine in a state of poise and thus maintain both longitudinal and lateral stability.

A still further object of the invention is to devise a machine which will more efliciently utilize and take advantage of natural laws governing and controlling the flotation and supporting capacities of aerial craft, and in which the structural elements are throughout given as far as possible a streamline form and constructed to give maximum 'air displacement and support in proportion to their weight, whereby a greater load sustaining area and a higher degree of flying are secured.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine having as many of its parts as possible made hollow, with the cavitiesthereof either forming vacuum chambers or filled with some gas lighter than air, such as hydrogen gas, thereby obtaining both strength and lightness combined.

lVith these and other objects in View, which will uppearas the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed, the inrention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fnll described and claim d controlling means, the shutters at one sideof the machine being omitted. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section through the primary controlling device. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing a feature of construction.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a suitable framework, the parts of which may be hollow and of streamline form and, if desired, exhausted of air or filled with gas lighter than air. Arranged at the base of this frame is a main hollow flotation body 2, which is disposed in the center line of the frame. This body serves as a car or carrier for the power plant, aviator, steerin and controlling devices and passengers, i any, and also as a main pontoon for supporting the machine in a body of water. Also can ried by the frame are relatively smaller side hollow bodies 3, which are arranged mainly in rear of the transverse center of the niachine and coact with the central body 2 to form a flotation base giving aerial support and adapting the machine to float and travel in a balanced position upon the surface of a body of Water. Each of these hollow bodies is of fusiform or streamline shape and is preferably of maximum depth andslightly upturned at its forward end to a suitable angle of incidence, thus increasing its supporting and buoying capacity in air and water. The central body 2 is provided with an engine compartment 4; but in practice the remainder of this body and the interior of each of the bodies 3 is preferably either exhausted of air or filled with hydrogen gas or other gas lighter than air, in order to decrease the weight thereof. The

,frame also carries a pair of upper flotation bodies 5 arranged on opposite sides of its longitudinal center, and a pair of lateral or side hollow bodies 6, which bodies 5 and 6 conform generally in construction to the bodies 2 and 3. The bodies 5 extend from apoint about midway of the distance between the forward portion and the transrigid and partially elastic, or constructed in he time it will, of course, be understood that low form of nietal, or made solid, as desired. When the bodies are of solid structhey will operate simply as fusiform aerofoil surfaces. The hollow bodies 2 and 3 are provided with suitable launching and land lng wheels 7.

The frame of the machine may be of any suitable construction and in the form disclosed includes vertical frame rods or tubes 8, horizontal longitudinal and transverse frame rods or tubes 9 and suitable braces 10 wherever necessary between the parts, in addition to which bracing wires or cables may also be employed at points desired The frame carries an upper series of following or tandem planes 11 and a lower series of following or tandem planes ]2, which planes may be in the form of hollow streamline bodies properly curved to secure a dynami cal reaction of the air thereon for a maximum supporting effect with a min mum degree of head resistance. The planes 11 are in a continuous fore and aft series and extend transversely across the frame and are ments of said shutters, which arecontrolled" and operated through mechanism heremafter fully described. It will be observed that these planes are so arranged as to provide a supporting surface which may be of any reasonable fore and aft and transverse dimensions so that machines of large size and load weight carrying capacity may be built and operated etliciently. By means of the shutters the gaps 13 may be controlled to regulate the action of the air on the planes, or the gaps closed to any desired extent to confine the air when the supported surface as a whole" is employed as a parachute.

, YIhe planes 12 are of the divided type and are arranged in sets or series of alincd planes on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine and a central set of planes between-theyside sets, the planes of each series being separated by and alternating with air gaps or passages 17 coinciding substantially in width therewith, the central planes and gaps bein arranged in respective alinement'with t 1e aps between the side planes and with said side planes. In the general plane of the planes 12 I also provide at the front of the machine a central door 18 and side doors or planes 19 and 20 and at the rear of the machine a central door 21 and side doors or planes 22 and 23,

the doors. 18 and 21 having slots or openings 24 formed therein, for a purpose hereinafter described. The doors 18, 19 and 20, 21, 22 and 23 are pivoted to swing in a. vertical plane and are curved to confoir'n to the supporting planes. The doors 18 and 21 normally rest upon and are limited in downward motion by the front and rear central planes of the series 12 and are adapted to swing upwardly to a vertical position against suitable stops'and braces 25 on the frame, while the lateral doors or planes 19, 20, 22 and 23 are movable upwardly and downwardly from a normally horizontal position, wherebythey are adapted to act as elevators or horizontal rudders, lateral stability devices and longitudinal trimmindg or balancing devices. The doors 18 an 21 when swung upwardly to a vertical position close the spaces between the superposed sets of planes at the front and rear, thus adapt ing the upper series of planes to .JIVG the function 0 a parachute, through the ga s of which the confined body of air may e allowed to escape as slowly or as rapidly as desired through the controlling action of the doors 14:, by which in the event of accident to the power plant the rate of fall of the machine may controlled and an easy and safe landing insured. Strips of suitable material 26 are provided u on the frame to close the slots 24 in the oors 18 and 21 when the latter are swung upward, to confine the air against escape except by and through the controlled gaps 13.

Within the compartment 4 are arranged guideways 27 to receive wheels or rollers 28 upon a motor supporting bed or truck 29 which supports in the present instance a pair of motors 30 and 31. The bed or truck is movable or adjustable on an inclined plane in the guideways 27 in a fore and aft direction so that the weight of the power plant may be arranged to compensate for variations between the centers of gravity and pressure under different conditions of service to maintain such centers in coincidence and to longitudinally balance or trim the craft. In order to enable the motor truck to be so adjusted, an operating lever.2 is arranged in proximity to the aviators seat 33 and has attached thereto, above and below its pivotal point, cables 34 and 35 which are suitably guided and attached to the front and rear portions of the truck in such manner.

that by swinging the lever in one direction or the other the truck and its load weight may be shifted forwardly or rearwardly.

The le er carries a dog or locking device 36 adapted to engage a rack 37 whereby it may be locked to hold the truck fixed in any of its positions of adjustment. It will be observed that the hollow fusiform bodies 2, 3, 5 and 6 have their centers of gravity and ressure arranged at different points in the ength of the machine frame, whereby additional longitudinal stability is secured, and

, the motors at a relatively low point and providing for a shifting of such weight in a longitudinal direction, any variation between the established centers of gravity and pressure which may occur at different times through changes in the arrangement of the fixed parts or'the carriage of freight and other loads may be compensated forin a simple, reliable and effective manner.

For propulsion I provide a central longitudinal drive shaft 38 carrying a series of propellers 39, the intermediate ones of which are arranged-to operate in certain of the gaps or passages 17, and side longitudinal shafts 40 and 41 carrying propellers 42 operating in the gap 17 between the side series of planes of the surface 12. These sets of propellers are designed to drive the machine ahead at a desired speed and the central set and side sets-are adapted to be opcrated independently or conjointl for a regulation of speed as occasion requires. As these propellers are arranged above the horizontal central line of the frame, and as their working-tendency is to cause the machine to tilt downwardly and forwardly on its transverse axis, this tendency 'is overcome by proper arrangement of the weight of the motors and increased area and angle of incidence of the forward portion of each hollow body, whereby all of the flotation and load weight factors tend to maintain the machine in equilibrium, while providing for the arrangement of the propelling devices at such a point and in such number and arrangement as to secure maximum propulsive efliciency. I also preferably provide auxiliary propellers 43 arranged on longitudinal shafts 44 disposed on opposite sides of the main hollow body 2, Wit-h the front and rear lower propellers 43 operating mainly above the mean center horizontal line of said horizontal body and slightly in front and in rear of the centers of gravity and pressure. These propellers 43 also tend to resist the 70 tilting thrust action of the propellers 39 and to give increased propulsion power and operate in action to apply power or thrust pressure substantially in the line of the hollow body '2 to counteract the drift or head resistance of such body to travel through the air or water. A fuel supply tank 45 is supported in proximity to the motors for the supply of fuel thereto throu h suitable conductors, and this tank is pre erably inclosed in a stream line casing 46. It will, of course, be understood that the various elements of the framework structure may also be of suitable form to diminish head resistance.

For the purpose of operating and controlling the shutters 14, front and rear center doors 18 and 21 and front and rear pairs 8f lateral doors or planes 19 and 20 and 22 and 23, I provide suitable controlling mechanism 90 comprising spaced posts 47 and 48 in which are journaled and slidably mounted shafts 49 and 50 provided'with hand wheels or other operating devices 51 and 52. On the shaft 49 is a series of drumsor'pulleys 53, 54 and 55, while on the shaft 50 is a similar series of drums or pulleys 56, 57 and 58, the drums of the two series being respectively arranged in reverse order. The central .and

rear drums 53 and 54 are connected with the 100 shaft 49 by a key or feather 59 for movement in unison, while the drum is loose on said shaft. The shaft 49 is provided witha key or projection 60 normally occupying a" forward longitudinal movement of the shaft to be projected into a key seat or recess 62 in the drum 55 to fix the latter to the shaft. The center and forward drums of the lower series are'fixed to the shaft 50 to turn in unison therewith by a key or feather 63 and on said shaft 50 is a key or projection 64 normally occupying a recess 65 in the central drum 57 and adapted to be projected into a fix said-drum to said shaft upon a rearward longitudinal movement of the latter. Coiled springs 67 surround the shafts between the drums and the post 48 to maintain the parts in normal relationship. The drums 53 and 54 are connected by reversely winding sets of cables 68 and 69 passing over suitable guide pulleys 70 and 71 with the free edges of the doors or planes 19' and 20 whereby said planes in practice may be arranged for siimiltaneous adjustment in the same or opposito directions, to adapt said planes to operate as elevators or horizontal rudders or as lateral balancing devices, as may be desired.

l Cables 7 2 passing around suitable guides 73 recess 61 in the drum 54 and adapted by a 105 key seat or recess 66 in the loose drum 58 to 115' connect cranks on the axes of the shutters 14 with the pulley 55, whereby when the latter is coupled to the shaft 49' the shutters may be opened and closed to the desired degree. The drums 56 and 57 are connected by reversely winding sets )assing over suitable guide pulleys 76 and 7 with the free edges of the doors or planes 22 and 23, whereby the latter may be ad justed similarly to the doors or planes 19 and 20. The center doors18 and 21 have their free edges connected by reversely winding sets of cables 78 and 79 passing over guide pulleys 80 and 81 with the drum or pulley 58, whereby when said drum or pulley is fixed to the shaft 50'the shid center doors may be swung upwardly for the purpose described. The slots 24 inthe front and rear center doors provide clearance spaces whereby said doors may be moved without interference from the shaft 38. It will thus be understood that through the described arrangement and "mode .of-adjustment of the shutters and doors the supporting surface may be instantly converted in the event of danger into a parachute to insure a safe descent of the apparatus; and it will also be understood that the front and rear lateral doors or planes may be adjusted to operate as elevators or horizontal rudders or as ailerons or balancing planes at will, so that the machine may be sensitively controlled.

' The mechanism for driving the various propeller shafts from the primary power devlces or motors comprises a drive shaft 82' disposed between the shafts of the motors. 30 and 31, suitable'clutch devices 83 and 84 being provided for connecting said drive shaft with either one or both' motor shafts at will. The shaft 82 is journaled for revoluble movement in suitable bearings onthe motor truck orbed and carries driving pulleys or sprocket wheels 85, 86 and 87 adapted to be thrown into and out of connection with the shaft by suitable clutch devices 85, 86 and 87; Through lills ifi rangement either motor, when dead, may be started from the other motor, and tliesliaft 82 driven from either one (n'shoth Lmotors, while any one, any tivo ,or all three of the drive pulleys may be thrown intoand out of action at will. The construction as scribed further adapts either motor when serviceable to be employed in case of derangement of the other motor to maintain the apparatus when in flight through any preferred selective action of the pro j elling devices. From the pulley 85 passes a belt or sprocket chain 88 which connects the same with a pulley 89 on; the shaft 38, whereby said shaft and the main propellers 39 may lie-driven. Bells or sprocket chains 90 and 91 connect the, pulley 89, which is a double pulley, with pulleys or wheels 92 and 93 on the sh ails 40 of cables 74 and 75 sprocket and ell, 1 structure andaboive the horizontal center 1 30 whereby said shafts are driven. Belts or sprocket wheels 94 and 95 connect the pulley 87, which is also a double pulley, with pulleys or sprocket wheels 96 and 97 on the shafts 44, whereby said, shafts are driven. All of the belts or sprocket CQlzllIlS above mentioned run in contact with intermediate drive pulleys or idlcrs 98, which permit said belts or sprocket chains to shi t with the power plant when the latter is moved backward or forward without displacement from the driving and driven pulleys, which are grooved or otherwise constructed to maintain the belts or chains in engagement therewith. i

In practice any suitable type of means for steering the machine laterally may be employed. In the present instance 'I have 1 shown the'useof a pair of rear vertical rudders 99 mounted to swing on vertical axes and connected for movement in unison by cords or cables 100 and 101 passing over guide pulleys 102 with the oppositely extending arms of-ahentrally fulcrumed lever 103 actuated by a hand or foot lever 104, whereby the rudders may be adjusted.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved flying machine Wlll be readily understood, and its advantages appreciated.

vides a machine which will operate strictly as an aerial vessel or as an aerohydroplane as .oc'casion maydemand, and which provides a supportlng surface of adequate area to carry a comparatively heavy load weight. It will hefl fu'rthcr apparent that the in vention provide a machine which possesses inherent longitudinal and lateral stability to a high degree, which reduces head resistance, and which may be controlled with ease andfacility andoperatcd with a maximum degree of safety.

1. A flying machine embodying a frame structure, central and lateral fusiform bodies below the horizontal center of the frame structure, fusiform bodies on each side of the longitudinal center of the frame structure and above the horizontal center thereof, supporting surfaces above and be low the latter named fusiform bodies and each consisting ofa series of following planes, the planes of the upper surface having air gaps between their proximate edges, means for controlling said gaps, and suitable propelling and steering means.

2. A flying machine embodying a frame structure, central and lateral fusiform hodics'helow the horizontal center of the 3 frame structure, fusiform' bodies on each side of the longitudinal center of the frmue thereof, a supporting surface above the latter named fusiform bodies formed of a series of following planes having air gaps between their proximate edges, pivotally; mounted shutters controlling said gaps,

means for controlling said shutters, and

suitable propelling and steering means.

- 3. A flying machine embodying a frame lngs, shutters controlling the air gaps, means for controlling said shutters, propellers arranged to operate in the said openings, means for driving said propellers, and suitable steering means.

4. A flying machine embodying a frame structure, central and lateral fusiform bodies below 'the horizontal center of the frame structure, fusiform bodies on each side of the longitudinal center of the frame structure and above therhorizontal center thereof, supporting surfaces, each consisting of a series of following planes, arranged re-' spectively above and below the latter named fusiform bodies, the lower supporting surface consisting of alined lateral planes arranged in alternation with intermediate planes, propellers arranged to work within e openings formed between the planes of the lower supporting surface, means for driving said propellers, and suitable steering means.

5. A flying machine embodying a frame structure, central and lateral fusiform bodies below the horizontal center of the frame structure, fusiform bodies on each side of the ongitudinal center of the frame structure and above the horizontal center thereof, supporting surfaces, each consisting of a series of following planes, arranged respec tively above and below the plane of the latter named fusiform bodies, the upper planes being arranged to provide restricted air gaps and the lower planes openings of greater area than the gaps, shutters controlling the gaps, front an rear sets of doors movable vertically from the plane of the lower supporting surface to close the spaces between the same and the'upper supporting surface, propellers working in the openings between the planes of the lower supporting surface,

having .re-

and means for controlling the shutters and doors.

6. A' flying machine embodying a frame structure, acentral fusiform body at the base of the frame structure,lateral fusiformbodies at the base of the frame structure mainly in rear of the transverse center of the central fusiform body, fusiform bodies arranged in lateral pairs at the top of the frame structure and on'cpposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, the bodies of each pair being arranged in parallel relation mainly in advance of the transverse center of the frame and projecting to different degrees for-' wardly therefrom, a supporting surface at the top of the frame, and suitable propelling and steering means.

7. A flying machine embodying super posed supporting surfaces, each comprising a series of following planes, the planes of the upper series being arranged to provide restricted intermediate air gaps and the,

planes of the lower series arranged to provide central and lateral openings alternating in arrangement on transverse lines, shutters cont-rolling the air gaps, front and rear central and lateral doors movable upward vertically from the plane of the lower surface to close the spaces between said surfaces at the front and rear thereof, propellers working'in the openings between the planes of the lower supporting surface, means for simultaneously operating the shutters, means for simultaneously adjusting the front and rear center doors, and means for adjusting the front and rear lateral doors.

8. A flying machine embodying a frame,

central and lateral fusiform bodies at the base of the frame, lateral fusiform bodies at the top of the frame, superposed supporting surfaces arranged respectively above and below the plane of the latter named fusiform bodies and each consisting of a series of following planes, the planes of the lower surface being arranged to provide interven ing central and side openings, propellers arranged to operate in the central openings,

propellers arranged to operate in the side openings, separate and independent motors, a drive shaft, means for driving the central propellers from the drive shaft, means for drivingthe side propellers from the drive shaft, and coupling means whereby the drive shaft may be interchangeably driven from either one or both motors.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PETER A. FRANZMANN,

A. L. Farmer. 

